Showing clemency, let nine free (7)

I believe the answer is:

lenient

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'showing clemency let nine free' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'let nine free' is the wordplay.
'free' indicates an anagram.
'let'+'nine'='letnine'
'letnine' anagrammed gives 'LENIENT'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lenient that I've seen before include "Compassionate" , "'Indulgent, easy (7)'" , "Soft on the rules" , "Mild and tolerant" , "Light" .)

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